It has been some time since we last looked at protecting our computers from viruses and spyware, an area where we must be ever more vigilant when machines are used on the Internet.
At the meeting Peter will be introducing and demonstrating the software he uses to protect his Windows PC, and also to remove any spyware that does make it through undetected.
It is hoped we will also bring along our own systems, or issues to discuss. While our Linux machines and Mac's are less susceptible to such threats through a mixture of design and lower market share, we should not be complacent and should all minimize the risks when working online.
Our last meeting was a welcome return of our slide show evening that once again proved to be a success.
Initially conceived to demonstrate the use of our new projector these evenings have been an enjoyable way of seeing the photos and videos that we have all taken on our travels.
Gareth began the evening with a photographic account of his recent 10-day tour of Western Scotland and the Western Isles. Over 2000 action packed miles were covered on the trip, which was his first trip to Scotland.
The main trip began and ended in Glasgow, taking in Ben Nevis/ Aonach Mor and Eilean Donan Castle en-route to Skye. From there a ferry out to Tarbert to explore the Isles of Harris and Lewis, taking in some stunning beaches and ancient standing stones (Callanish). Another ferry was taken back to the mainland to Ullapool before exploring the North West Coast at Durness, and the mountains of Suilven, Ben Hope and Ben Loyal. The journey back south took in the Cairngorm's and Aviemore where there were still people enjoying the snow before visiting Stirling and Falkirk to see the Falkirk Wheel boat lift. Finally before returning to Glasgow Gareth took in a tour of the Royal Yacht Britannia now moored in Edinburgh.
Frank began his slides by showing us some wonderful photos of Orchids on a recent visit to Oxley Meadow, which is indeed famous for its green-winged Orchids. He also showed some photos of Phalaenopsis Orchids taken at a Horticultural Society exhibition in Westminster.
The next topic from Frank was of a visit to St Petersburg, which he recommended you do as a tour as it simplifies the issue of Visas. We were introduced to the visit with some video taken on the trip and processed into a DVD, possibly a first for a slideshow evening!
The first palace we were shown was Catherine's summer palace outside St Petersburg at Pushkin. This was significantly damaged by fire during the war and has seen extensive restoration becoming a significant tourist attraction. The ballroom alone required 2.8 kgs of Gold to regild.
To end we were shown the grounds of the Peterhof Palace with magnificent cascades and fountains. Just as impressive as the fountains themselves is that it is all produced without the use of pumps being fed from springs via reservoirs.
Frank's tour was part of a 15 day Baltic cruise, of which 3 days was spent in St Petersburg.
Michael had also recently been on a cruise, this time of the Mediterranean from Palma, Majorca on the Ocean Village 2 cruise liner. He showed us pictures of a small town in Tunisia and the markets with items from wooden carvings to bongo drums. He also visited Italy and had some good photos of the leaning tower at Pisa including the obligatory trick of the camera showing him holding up the Tower!!
Next up Peter began with some pictures from one of our last Social Evenings in Wivenhoe (it was meant to be Harwich . Peter) where Royal was able to join us. We were then treated to some shots from around Suffolk including the new University building in Ipswich on the waterfront, and images around Bawdsey and Snape. Peter has also visited the butterfly enclosure at nearby Jimmy's Farm where he warned us that his video camera stopped working correctly due to the humidity inside. Peter also showed us some shots from a visit to Ireland, and of the Spinnaker tower in Portsmouth which features a glass floor in the viewing level at the top, not good for those with vertigo! Peter then ended his slides with the Needles on the Isle of Wight.
John wrapped up the evening for us with some images of his tour of a number of German Christmas Markets on a 4-day coach trip that was much cheaper than arranging the trip individually. The Cologne market had more than 160 stalls selling everything from wooden toys and dolls to Lebkuchen and of course hot dogs and beer/gluhwein. One of the markets featured a life-size Nativity scene and another of the markets was actually on a boat sailing up and down the river.
Editorial
I hope everyone enjoyed the slideshow evening as I did, and that I didn't hog the projector for too long, Gareth.
We will shortly be holding a Committee Meeting to set the future Agenda so please do let us know if you have an idea for a topic that interests you. If you would like to present a talk at any meeting it would be very useful to the committee to have a ready prepared talk in case someone is ill or has to be away at short notice on the date of a meeting.
Gareth
| 2009 | ||
| June 17th | Anti Spyware, AntiVirus and Registry cleaners | Peter et al |
| July 15th | TBA | |
| August 19th (Prov.) | Social Evening TBA |
Meetings are now on the Third Wednesday of the month unless otherwise stated.
Our meetings are held at the Bourne Vale Social Club, Halifax Road, Ipswich IP2 8RE , for a map and other details please see the website. http://icenicomputerclub.users.btopenworld.com
The first visit is free and subsequent visits for non - members is £2·50. The membership fee is £20 due from the AGM date in April, but may be reduced for those joining late in the year.
Continuing our publicity for EAUG events.
14th July "Adobe Lightroom"
August "Barbecue"
There is now a full list of meetings up to the end of the year listed on their website.
http://www.eaug.org.uk/mtg.htm
Tea/coffee/biscuits usually available.
Visitors pay 2.00 GBP for the evening, which is deductible from the
normal joining subscription if you decide to join at a later date.
See the Membership page of the website for more information:
http://www.eaug.org.uk/mem.htm
Meetings are at the Great Baddow Village Hall, on the second Tuesday of the month
opening at 7:30 p.m. for a start at 7:45 - 8:00 p.m.
For directions see below (note the new web addresses)
http://www.eaug.org.uk or 'phone one of the contacts on http://www.eaug.org.uk/ppl.htm
This has now re-badged itself as the Ipswich Computer Club, since it now meets at the AV centre in Leslie Road Ipswich on the first Tuesday of the month. I haven't made direct contact with them yet but will do so to see if they are interested in a joint meeting. It would appear since they have limited space for their meetings that any thoughts of a merger now are off.
For information on this group we have added a link here
http://www.ipswichcc.co.uk They have now a brand new website although they don't have a link from their old website.
They also state that they have now a full membership.
Peter
"ICENI does not have any Insurance cover for computers or other equipment so please be advised that you bring machines to the club at your own risk."
However many household insurance policies will include cover away from home often with no increase in premium. (Ed.)
If anyone would like a copy of the CD of our old newsletters this could be arranged.
I am open to suggestions on what people would like to have included in the website.
Our website URL is
http://icenicomputerclub.users.btopenworld.com as a virtual domain,
it can also be reached using http://www.btinternet.com/~icenicomputerclub
Email to: iceni@woolridge.org.uk